Why are there so few men in the church?

TL;DR:

Many people claim that there are more women than men in the church. Not only is this statement unverifiable, but the Bible reveals the value and necessity of both men and women in the church.

Are there really fewer men who regularly attend church than do women? What do demographers use as a definition of "church"? Are the statistics consistent across denominations? How stable are they over time? What about cross-culturally? Those are just a few of the questions to ask about the research to better determine what it actually reveals. Statistics actually reveal that this question does not reveal a truth that matches up to reality. In the Bible, God reveals that both men and women are crucial in the body of Christ and the local church.

from the old testament

The church was birthed after Jesus died and rose again, recorded in the New Testament.
Genesis 1—2 affirms that both men and women are made in God's image. The two complement one another. Accurately reflecting God to the world and living out His call requires community, and it requires both men and women.

from the new testament

Jesus' offer of salvation is for all people—both men and women and in every culture (John 3:16–18; Galatians 3:25–29; 2 Peter 3:9). All who put their trust in Jesus become children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:14–17) and thus brothers and sisters of one another.
Jesus had both male and female followers (Luke 8:1–3). His ministry was to both genders, and both are needed to carry out the mission He entrusted to the church (Matthew 28:18–20).
Men are vital to the church, just as women are. It glorifies God when men and women participate together in the local church, as brothers and sisters in Christ, demonstrating God's design and sharing His truth with a world who needs God (Matthew 5:14–16; John 17:20–26; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:1–2).
The New Testament refers to the church as the household of God (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 4:17) and the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–31; Ephesians 4:15–16). These are images of unity and distinction. The church is made up of a variety of people with varied gifts. There are also a variety of roles within the church. Both men and women are needed.
Paul refers to believers as "members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:19–20). The apostles were men—primarily the Twelve.
As the church grew and structure took shape in local gatherings of believers, qualified men bore the responsibility of elder. Paul said, "If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task" (1 Timothy 3:1). He then wrote the qualifications to fulfill such a role including things like being above reproach, marital fidelity, gentleness, dignity, spiritual maturity, and having the ability to teach. Titus 1 includes similar instructions.
Men and women are both called to grow in the faith and to disciple others (Titus 2:1–6).

implications for today

Both men and women are integral to the life and mission of the church, therefore we should actively pursue unity and collaboration within the church community. This involves recognizing and affirming the unique contributions that each gender, and each individual, brings and fostering an environment where both men and women can flourish in their spiritual gifts and responsibilities (Romans 12). Practically, this means encouraging mutual respect (Ephesians 5:21), learning from one another's perspectives, and embracing shared responsibility where appropriate. By doing so, we embody God's intended design for His church, reflecting His image more fully and effectively to the world around us.

understand

Demographic data challenges the perception that there are fewer men in church.
Scripture emphasizes the equal importance of men and women in the church, both crucial for God's mission and reflecting His image.
While some roles within the church are specifically for qualified men, women are necessary to the mission of the church, including in areas of teaching, discipleship, and other ministry.

reflect

How does your understanding of gender roles in the church impact your involvement and leadership?
What steps can you take to support a church environment that values the participation of both men and women?
How can you better appreciate and engage with the diverse contributions of both genders in the church?

engage

In 2016, based on a survey study of 192 countries, the Pew Research Center reported a higher percentage of women attending church in Christian-majority countries weekly than men (see: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2016/03/22/the-gender-gap-in-religion-around-the-world/; accessed June 4, 2024). In the United States, Barna reports that while there was a disparity between men and women as related to weekly church attendance in 2003, there no longer was in 2020 (see: https://www.barna.com/changes-behind-the-scenes/; accessed June 4, 2024).
How might our perceptions about gender representation in the church differ from statistical reality, and what factors could contribute to these misconceptions?
In what ways can we actively promote unity and collaboration between men and women in our church community, while respecting the distinct roles outlined in Scripture?